Metallic fence-post



post is formed so as to present an angular are formed horizontal slotsextended into the UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

AUGUSTUS P. SMITH, OF ROCK FALLS, ILLINOIS.

METALLIC FENCE-POST.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 459,594, datedSeptember 15, 1891.

Application filed June 1l 189 1.

To all wiz/0711, it may coll/cern,.-

Be it known that I, AUGUSTUS P. SMITH, a citizen of the United States,residing at Rock Falls, in the county of Vhiteside and State ofIllinois, have invented certain new' and useful Improvements in MetallicFence-Posts; and I do declare the following to be a full, clear, andexact description of the invention, such as will enable others skilledin the art to which it appertains to make and use the same, referencebeing had to the accompanying drawings, and to the letters and figuresof reference marked thereon, which form a part ot this specification.

My invention has reference to improvements in metallic fence-posts,constructed either of sheet metal or cast, but preferably of steelsheets, and adapted to be coated with any suitable preparation toprevent rust or corrosion.

My invention is more especially adapted for use in connection withfence-wire, either smooth or barbed, and either ot a single strand or ofa cable consisting` of two or more strands intertwisted. The materialotl the face next to the wire, in which angle there material of thepost, either in a horizontal direction or obliquely upward or downward.Said slots are placed at intervals corresponding to the distancesbetween the several fencewires, and are adapted to receive the latter.My invention further involves the use of a locking-key adapted to bedropped down in front of the inserted wire, and between it and the uncutportion of said angle ot the post, for the purpose of retaining thefence-wires in the several slots. This key is reversible, being adaptedwhen inserted in one position to hold the wire in said slots loosely andwhen inserted in the opposite'position to lock said wire rigidly withinsaid slots. I attain these objects by the mechanism illust-rated in theaccompanying drawings, in which- Figure 1 is a perspective of afence-post embodying my invention and exhibits the wire and key inposition. Fig. 2 shows modications of the form of said post. Fig. 3 is adetail of thelocking-key. Fig. 4 is a modification of said key, in roundor angular wire.

Serial No. 394,726. (No model.)

Fig. 5 is a cross-section ot the post near the bottom thereof.

A is the post propel', which is formed of sheet metal, the sides ofwhich are longitudinally bent backward laterally from the central lineof the post at any suitable angle with each other, presenting thecentral longitudinal fold or front edge B and the rearwardly-extendingsides C C. The post A may be given any desired taper from the bottom ot'the post or from the surface of the ground to the top of the post, bycutting the material from the sheet with a corresponding taper. Theedges of the sides C may also be drawn lcloser together gradually fromthe bottom to the top, which will give said post greater iare andsolidity within the earth, and present a more pleasing appearance abovethe ground, and increases the strength of the post toward the topagainst pressure perpendicular to the line of the fence.

In the fold B of the post A there is cut a series of wire-receivingslots D at such altitude respectively as it may be desired to place thewires, and adapted to receive and retain any form of fence-wire orstrips ot metal. The bottom of the post may-consist simply of thestraight sides C, in which condition the posts may be either driven orset into the earth; or, if preferred, the extreme lower end ot the postmay be centrally slit vertically a short distance, and such slitportions folded inward, as shown in Fig. 1, in which condition the postwouldlbe set up by previously boring or digging the hole in the usualmode. The top of the postA may also be either iiat, curved, or pointed,as may be desired. The ends of the slots D may be curved or angular, asit may be desired. It preferred, also, the edges C of thesides may becurved or folded any degree upon themselves to impart greater strengthto that locality. The slots D, when cut into the fold B with theirinnei` ends higher than their outer edges, are intended for posts setacross depressions in the earth, and are thereby adapted to morecertainly retain therfence- Wire prior to the insertion of the key. Theslots D cut in the opposite direction are adapted for posts set overeminences and on the level where the downward tension ot' the IOO wiretends to retain the fence-wire in said slots until keyed. It the sheetmetal be prepared of a width corresponding with the length of the postA, the latter can be cut 5 transversely from said sheet, points andbutts alternately, with no waste ot` the material.

E is the'usual fence-wire, which may consist, as aforesaid, of onestrand or of a cable consisting of two or lnore strands twisted to- 1ogether. v

F is a sheet-metal key having on its front face a longitudinalcentralangle or fold adapted to looselyfit within the angleB of theposts A. From about the longitudinal center of the key F one endGthereof has parallel sides.

About the center of the key F the sides thereof' lare extendedlaterally, forming flanges H, and from such point the lateral extensionof' the sides or edges J J of `the key F curve or zo taper to the otherend thereof. Vhen the wire E is placed within the slots D and the end Gof the key F inserted downwardly between the wire E and the fold B otthe post A, the flanges H rest upon the wire E and the key F issupported by said wire, in which position, the end G being somewhatsmaller than the interval between the wire E and fold B, Said wire isheld loosely in said slot; but. if the key F is inserted with the sidesJ J 3o downwardly said key is supported entirely by its wedge -likecontact with the wire E and the inner surface of the fold B, andsaidwire is held within the slot vD rigidly. As the key F in the latterposition presses upon the wire E at each of its edges J and can beforced downwardly slightly when inserted, it desired, the junction ofthe wire with the postA is Very firm. The key F may be formed of roundor angular wire, as shown in Fig. 4, which will be substantially thesaine, exceptthat there will be but one point of bearing upon the wireE. In whatever position the key F maybe inserted it will be solidlysupported, in the one case by the wedge-like formation of the sides Jand in the other by the anges I'I, resting upon the wire E, asaforesaid.

The advantages of' my invention are, rst, the simplicity, economy,strength, and durability o he post; second, the fact that the posts aubelaidwithin each other to any desired number, and therebyoccupy smallspace in shipment and mutually protect each other against casual injury;third,the key when in use is secluded from possible interference andfrom displacement by animals, and, fourth, the ease and rapidity withwhich the wires can be attached to or detached from the posts.

What I claim as my invention, and desire to secure by Letters Patent ofthe United States, is

The combination of the post A, provided with longitudinal central fold Band slots D therein, wire E, adapted to be inserted in said slots, andthe key F, provided with one straight end Gr and one tapered end J andadapted to be reversibly used to lock said wire, substantially as shown,and for the purpose described. Y

In testimony whereof I affix my signature in presence of twowitnesses.44

AUGUSTUS P. SMITH.

Witnesses:

JOHN G. MANAHAN, ADDA E. WVARD.

